Why you should choose a Saga cruise to the Canary Islands

Saga Cruises to the Canary Islands allow travellers to call at a selection of ports in this unique archipelago off the coast of Africa, in serious style.

Not only is this neck of the ocean ideal for winter sun but Saga guarantees you can enjoy it all in the lap of luxury onboard the cruise line’s all-inclusive, all-balcony ships.

We’ve taken a look at where Saga cruises to, which voyages you can join and the best Canary Islands shore excursions you can participate in to make sure your holiday snaps – and memories – are something to treasure.

Why you should pick a Saga Canary Islands cruise

Unlike a land-based getaway, with a Saga Canary Islands cruise you don’t just hang out in one place – you’ll visit a selection of gorgeous stops in the Canaries, so whether you want beaches or unforgettable experiences, Saga has you covered.

What’s more, your journey begins hassle-free with no airport queues or flight mayhem – every Canary Islnds itinerary with Saga is a no-fly cruise that sets sail from Portsmouth, UK, so your holiday can start as soon as you arrive at the port!

You might only be heading south but a cruise to the Canary Islands can make you feel like you’ve left planet Earth altogether as you’re treated to a smorgasbord of otherworldly landscapes.

Think Lanzarote’s lunar-like plains and black sand beaches straight out of Star Wars, not to mention intriguing wildlife and majestic mountains. Talk about getting away from it all!

The wildlife isn’t just impressive on land, though. Experts and volunteers from wildlife charity ORCA join selected Saga’s Canary Island cruises and hold ‘deck watches’ onboard. Here, guests can learn all about the lives of whales, dolphins and porpoises – and might well spot the marine creatures themselves!

You don’t just have to head out on deck to soak up landscapes or wildlife. All Saga’s cabins come with balconies so you’ll have your own private al fresco space to admire the beauty before you from (doing so with a free glass of fizz in hand encouraged).

– READ MORE: Why you need to try a luxury wildlife cruise –

Where do Saga Canary Island cruise holidays sail?

Saga Cruises visits four Canary Islands: Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Tenerife.

However, with all Saga cruises to the Canary Islands, guests will stop off at a number of other exciting ports such as Funchal in Madeira, Cadiz in Spain and Lisbon in Portugal – depending on the itinerary you choose.

– READ MORE: Madeira cruise port guide: All you need to know about Funchal –

What are Saga’s Canary Islands shore excursions like?

On top of first class service (Saga won best ocean cruise line for service at the Sailawaze Excellence Awards 2025), included chauffeur service and speciality dining – as well as all the above – Saga throws in included excursions at selected ports with your cruise fare.

And the good news is, there are incredible shore experiences available on Saga Canaries cruises, so adventure is yours for the taking.

Foodies will relish the volcanic barbecue on Lanzarote’s Fire Mountain – the heat comes fresh from the volcano in Timanfaya National Park in the aptly named El Diablo restaurant!

As you tuck into your feast you can take in the 360-degree panorama across the rugged landscape and the impressive restaurant building itself – it’s one of local artist César Manrique’s creations.

More volcanic escapades are to be had over on Gran Canaria, where you can hike the Bandama Caldera, one of the youngest volcanoes in the Canarian archipelago. It boasts a crater of more than 650ft deep and a diameter of almost three-quarters of a mile. Don’t worry about the risk of eruption – the volcano was last active about 3,000 years ago! As we said, a youthful volcano….

Wildlife lovers, meanwhile, will enjoy a whale-watching catamaran excursion in Tenerife. Pilot and sperm whales reside all year in the waters around the island in pods of between eight and 15. With any luck, you’ll spy the alpha male – 26ft-long on average, weighing in at about 5,500lbs.

An exclusive tour to a silk museum on the island of La Palma reveals the only place in Europe still weaving using a traditional 500-year-old process! Later, on the same Saga shore excursion, you’ll be taken to Hacienda de Abajo, a former 17th-century sugar estate filled with sculptures, paintings, furniture, porcelain and tapestries on the inside, with lovely gardens on the outside.

And to think, these are just a taster of Saga’s Canary Islands shore excursions; there are plenty more available, so, pro tip: be sure to explore all the options available when booking your luxury Saga cruise!

– READ MORE: Top European shore excursions – all at great value! –